Dell PowerVault ME5024 Storage Array

The Dell PowerVault ME5024 provides straightforward shared block storage for virtualisation and general business applications in data centre environments. Its dual-controller active-active design and scale-up growth help keep storage manageable, cost-effective and ready to expand.

Dell PowerVault ME5024 Key Platform Specifications

  • Primary Use Case: General Purpose Storage
  • Latency Tier: Balanced
  • Architecture Type: Dual-Controller Active-Active
  • Storage Type: Hybrid
  • Maximum Raw Capacity: 4 PB
  • Drive Bays: 24

SKU ME5024 Categories , , Brand:

Dell PowerVault ME5024 Overview

As virtual machines, backups and smaller production services multiply, teams need shared storage that stays simple to run, economical to expand and dependable enough for everyday operations.

Shared Storage for Block Workloads

Dell PowerVault ME5024 answers that need with straightforward block storage for SAN or DAS environments, giving IT teams a practical platform for virtualisation and general business applications without introducing unnecessary management overhead.

Density and Connectivity That Keep Growth Manageable

With 24 drive bays in the base chassis, the ME5024 delivers more usable density from day one, so teams can add capacity in a compact footprint, and its 10/25Gb Ethernet and 16/32Gb FC host interface options help it slot into existing network and fibre-connected environments with less disruption.

Built to Scale Without Becoming Complex

As requirements change, support for up to 9 expansion shelves lets the platform grow in step with demand, helping organisations keep costs down while preserving a storage model that remains easy to deploy, support and explain to the business.

For teams looking for a denser, more affordable path to shared block storage, Dell PowerVault ME5024 gives you a clear route forward, and our team can help you shape it around your environment.

It is a fit for environments that want straightforward shared storage for virtualisation, backup and general applications, without paying for enterprise-array complexity they do not need.

Dell PowerVault ME5024 Key Features​

Dell PowerVault ME5024 is a storage array for enterprise environments, providing a compact platform for shared data services, scalable capacity, and operational consistency in mixed workload deployments.

Efficient Storage Foundation

Dual-Protocol Connectivity
The platform supports 10/25Gb Ethernet and 16/32Gb Fibre Channel host interfaces to align with Ethernet and SAN deployment models.

24-Bay Array Design
Its 24-drive-bay enclosure provides a structured base for consolidating storage capacity within a single array footprint.

Expansion-Oriented Architecture
The system supports growth with up to 9 expansion shelves, extending capacity without changing the core array design.

Deployment Flexibility
The architecture accommodates enterprise storage environments that need to map storage connectivity to existing network and fabric standards.

Operational Control At Scale

Centralized Array Management
The platform is designed for straightforward operational control of storage resources across the array and attached expansion shelves.

Resilient Storage Layout
The array form factor supports an enterprise storage design that is intended to maintain service continuity through structured hardware integration.

Capacity Growth Path
Expansion shelves allow the storage system to scale in a controlled manner as data requirements increase.

Speak to a Dell Storage Specialist

If you are balancing storage growth, fabric compatibility, and deployment planning, our Dell experts can help align the ME5024 to your array architecture and expansion requirements.

Dell PowerVault ME5024 Technical Specifications

Full specifications for this model are listed below.

Additional information

Product Family

Dell PowerVault

Product Series

ME5

Deployment

Data Centre

Target Organisation Size

Midmarket

Primary Use Case

General Purpose Storage

Workload Profile

General Enterprise Storage

Storage Performance Tier

Balanced

Product Tier

Flagship

Latency Tier

Balanced

Scalability Model

Scale-Up

Architecture Type

Storage Type

Hybrid

Access Architecture

Block

NVMe Support Level

None

Maximum Raw Capacity

4 PB

Maximum Effective Capacity

4 PB

Capacity Basis

Model Maximum

Drive Bays

24

Drive Interface

SAS

Supported Media Types

HDD / SSD

Controller Architecture

Dual Controller Active-Active

Controller Cache

16 GB

Maximum Expansion Shelves

9

Supported Protocols

iSCSI / Fibre Channel

Maximum Host Ports

8

Data Protection

RAID 0/1/5/6/10

Deduplication Support

No

Compression Support

No

Data Reduction Method

None

Power Redundancy

Hot-swappable PSUs

Cloud Integration

None

Evaluating whether this is the right fit for your environment?

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Dell PowerVault ME5024 Deployment Scenarios

The Dell PowerVault ME5024 is a mid-range block storage platform for organisations that need simple, cost-conscious shared storage for virtual machines, backups and smaller production workloads. It fits environments that want more performance headroom than entry systems, while keeping administration and deployment straightforward.

Virtualisation Clusters in Data Centres

In smaller data centres, the ME5024 can anchor shared storage for clustered virtualisation where teams need dependable block performance without enterprise-array complexity. It supports mixed application estates, backup targets and smaller production servers, making it a practical choice when budgets are tight and storage must remain easy to manage.

Shared Applications in Professional Services Firms

Professional services teams often run line-of-business applications, file services and virtual machines from a single storage platform. The ME5024 suits that setting when a small IT team needs affordable SAN or DAS storage that is easier to buy, deploy and support, while still giving users consistent access to shared data.

Departmental Clinical Systems in Healthcare

Healthcare departments can use the ME5024 for local systems, imaging workgroups and secondary clinical workloads that need reliable shared storage on a controlled budget. It is a sensible fit where organisations want to improve service levels for departmental users without moving to a more expensive enterprise array.

Secondary and Mid-Tier Workloads in Finance

Finance teams can place the ME5024 behind reporting databases, records systems and other smaller regulated workloads that need responsive block storage but not top-tier infrastructure. It helps keep spend in check while giving administrators a simple platform for day-to-day operation and support.

Dev/Test and Internal Services for Software Development

Software development teams can deploy the ME5024 for test environments, CI pipelines, backup repositories and smaller databases where quick setup and manageable costs matter. It gives engineering groups shared storage they can standardise on, while reserving premium platforms for the most critical production services.

Planning an Dell PowerVault ME5024 Deployment?

Speak with our team about design and deployment support for Dell PowerVault ME5024 storage across virtualisation, departmental applications, regulated secondary workloads and development environments.

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Tailored recommendations for your infrastructure

Below you’ll find alternative models, suitable software and services that pair with this solution – helping you to avoid compatibility issues, reduce support overhead and deploy with confidence.

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